By Eileen Fleming
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-924583.mp3
New Orleans, La. – National Incident Commander Thad Allen says pressure testing shows the well is now dead, after cement was pumped into the bottom of the well about three miles under the surface. The news comes five months after the well exploded, killing 11 workers and triggering an oil spill that polluted the Gulf with more than 4 million barrels of crude. Many in Gulf Coast communities are worried that the government could consider the crisis over. Oil continues washing ashore in Louisiana, and researchers have found oil on the bottom of the Gulf and in the water column. Allen says the government is committed to an aggressive cleanup.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming.